Tales Into The Blue
It was probably better when I was afraid of New York. Then, I observed and appreciated everything. When you’re petrified, you don’t opine or pose or spend time wishing you were elsewhere. The present consumes you. I would have written pages upon pages about this cloying, dangerous heat instead of staring blankly at a screen wishing that I were by the sea with all the lucky people.
But, now, a breeze of reality, naivete. A fresh perspective is moving to New York in the form of my completely unspoiled, small town boyfriend. He’s THRILLED to be here in August, not thinking twice about far-flung islands—Egadi, Balearics—in the blue.
“I thought that when I get up there on Sunday we could do some planting,” he says, his voice heavy with anticipation.
“I don’t do flowers. And I really don’t garden in August.” I sigh, cradling the phone to my right ear, rewinding “Il Postino.” Third time this week. Maybe I could write there, I think, on the island of Salina. Pablo Neruda’s character in the film was quietly invigorated by the isolation, uninterrupted sky, sequined sea, simplicity.
“Herbs, honey! What if I did a great-big window box full of basil, rosemary, thyme, chives, mint—you name it. Think of my roasts, your caprese salads, Mom’s mint iced…”
Five years ago I tasted the capers of Salina, drank the sweet Malvasian wine and sunbathed on the sand where Massimo Troissi courted Maria Grazia Cucinotta. Thinking, thinking, thinking while Jamie is busy making plans for the two of us, our kitchen, OUR New York.
“We’ve come a long way, baby,” he says, cutting off my thoughts and reminding me of those cigarette ads.
He’s right. We’ve done well over the past year. And I want to think that this time—tonight—when I watch my postman court his country girl, I’ll plan a trip for both of into the blue.
August 3rd, 2006 at 9:34 am
Oooooohhhhhh! The romance continues.
August 3rd, 2006 at 10:44 am
I love your posts about Jaime… I’m dying to hear the details of how you met! I know it was in a restaurant, but was he working, was he dining, who approached whom? What did you eat?
You must fill in the blanks : )
August 3rd, 2006 at 11:09 am
I have to agree with Broady. I would love to hear some of the details. We all thrive on the details of how love was found.
August 3rd, 2006 at 1:07 pm
I’m thrilled to hear things are moving along so sweetly. I wish my prince charming would build me a herb box. I guess I can’t have everything!
August 3rd, 2006 at 4:37 pm
i think i told y’all how we met… first at summer camp when we were ten years old and then fifteen years later (last summer) when I walked into his restaurant and my cousin–not me!–recognized his name at the bottom of the menu. i sent the waiter back to the kitchen to ask the chef he remembered brooke from the 4th grade summer camp dance. sure enough…
does that story ring a bell? maybe i just need to do a post about it…
August 3rd, 2006 at 6:16 pm
Okay, that does sound familiar… I do recall some of that, Belle. Especially the summer camp dance backstory.
Still, would love to read a whole post about it! I really enjoy the pictures of ya’ll, too.
August 4th, 2006 at 6:01 am
The fairy-tale continues… Harry Potter, stand back!
August 4th, 2006 at 7:00 am
Firstly, where are the boobies?
Secondly, am I the only one who is surprised with the continual references to Jamie as a bumbling, naive, small town, slightly retarded cook?
Surely out of the two of you he is the only one with any real talent.
Maybe he should be the one talking about his cliche-ridden essay writing girlfriend from Florida - Y’all?!??
August 4th, 2006 at 8:47 am
Belle, loved your post. It reminded me when my boy packed up and moved many miles to the big city to be with me. It was a nice reminder on why I love him so much!!!
BTW, ohlordymy, I tried to read your blog but…to my surprise… you don’t have one! Hmm…
August 4th, 2006 at 10:59 am
Holy crap, did someone post using the word, “boobies”? Pardon me while I wipe the coffee off my pants.
Perhaps this poster is a member of this year’s crop of 4th graders at summer camp?
August 4th, 2006 at 1:16 pm
dearest, “in penury parvenu”– ignore such comments. surely they’re written by no one but a cubicle critic, a wo/man that idly passes the hours of their non-existent professional life, looking to put down others despite their complete lack of life and talents.
though, some of those comments are fun… if not just to read your fantastic retort.
August 4th, 2006 at 3:16 pm
Belle loves using the word ‘retort.’
She also loves: herself (which is okay, everyone should), her boobies, her dear (slightly-retarded cook) southern man, adding syllables to words (SO southern, ya know!), random strangers (who very well could be strippers, axe-murderers, registered sex-offenders) as long as they compliment her greasy writing, and food.
And, apparently, writing in the vein of Danielle Steel.
Belle does not love: people who work in cubicles, people who are smart, people who call her out on her over-used cliches, and many other things.
Just got back from Mexico - low season, Y’ALL - and the surf was spectacular, the sun, delightful, and I read a novel in Spanish.
And my Portuguese boyfriend: so gorgeous and smart. And not even a bit retarded.
August 4th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
I’m a bit pekid, so will I forego providing a rejoinder to Sarah Lee and Hymen (sort of).
Why the need to keep assuring us (and yourself) that you have a boyfriend? What the deuce woman? Should we be amazed?
You are an amusing lil tart though. We should meet for coffee sometime. I will wear my “hot cop” outfit (don’t worry I bring my own music) and you needn’t worry, those charges against me were dropped.
August 4th, 2006 at 4:59 pm
I like your style, ‘in penury parvenu.’ Why do I keep mentioning my boyfriend? Because it makes me smile to think of him and our vacation together… I just get caught up in my head…. you know…
Same as ‘belle’ goin on about the cook all the time, I reckon.
Have a wonderful week-end, everyone!
ciao, ciao!
August 4th, 2006 at 5:14 pm
‘pp’–first belly laugh of the week!
August 4th, 2006 at 6:31 pm
Why would someone who doesn’t care to share there blog with the world leave such comments to those that share there blog with everyone? Not to offend all the hardworking teachers out there but is it “those who can’t do, teach” kind of thing. Hmm!
August 4th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
I truly enjoy reading your blog Belle. I figure if people don’t like the way you write and the topics that you write about, then they just shouldn’t read it. It isn’t like anyone is forcing them to read it. It’s my opinion that secretly they love your blog and just can’t bring themselves to admit it. Why else would they keep coming back??? That, of course, is just my opinion.
August 6th, 2006 at 6:20 pm
I’m addicted to your blog too! I love a good love story. (Especially since I don’t have one of my own) And screw their comments…they’re just jealous cause you can write, and they can’t.
September 1st, 2006 at 5:54 pm
“I thought that when I get up there on Sunday we could do some planting,” he says, his voice heavy with anticipation.
ok, ok…..perhaps Belle, if one may read between one’s lines, he is thinking of another type of seed to plant?